A Week Later
Randy was in the kitchen preparing for Cody's party later that day. Just as he had suspected Cody was a nuisance so he'd asked Evan ahead of time if he could take the other man somewhere for the day. After a lot of kissing and the promise of a date night, Evan finally agreed to do the job. Things had started off just fine but the closer it got to party time the more Cody started to talk which was mildly annoying for the smaller man
"Cody." Evan said turning to his friend
"Huh?"
"Has Randy ever messed up a meal or anything for that matter?"
"No."
"So what are you worried about? The people you work with already know about your lifestyle and accept it, Randy is perfect and J and I promised to be on our best behavior...and you know that Steph isn't going to show up so what's the problem? Stop worrying so much because you're going to give me gray hair and I'm not ready to go gray yet."
"Sorry Evy. I just get so worked-up sometimes."
"I know. You've been in a state of perpetual worked-up-ness since we were kids." Cody took a bite of the ice cream cone in his hand and turned to Evan on the park bench
"I told John about my mom."
"Yea, Randy told me when I came home that day."
"I didn't tell him all of it though. Just the stuff about not talking to her...Ran didn't rat me out either."
"He's not going to and I'm not either."
"I feel bad for keeping it from John though. I'm lying by emission." Evan shook his head
"You're lying by omission not emission."
"What's the difference?"
"There's a big difference but I don't want to get into it right now." Cody nodded
"Okay...well anyway, I'm lying to John by not telling him."
"Do you think that you need to tell him? Like is it going to change the relationship between the two of you in anyway or is this something that he can live the rest of his life not knowing and be just fine?"
"He can live the rest of his life just fine but I don't feel good about it. If my mom hadn't called right then this wouldn't be a conversation topic right now."
"But she did and now John knows about your strained relationship. You have two choices: tell him or don't tell him."
"You make it sound so easy."
"It is just that easy. I'm surprised your dad hasn't said anything to him about it since the two of them get along so well."
"You know my dad isn't going to say anything. He's always protected me from her evil wrath." Evan wanted to laugh at that but thought it inappropriate especially right now. "What would you do?"
"Um," Evan sat there thinking for a few seconds then looked at Cody and gave an honest answer. "I assume you mean if it were Randy and me...I would tell him."
"You don't think,"
"That J will like or love you less? Absolutely not. You were a kid and none of this was your fault...ever."
"Not even a little bit?" Evan reached into his pocket for his phone
Papi Chulo: you guys can come back when you feel like it. I've done majority of what needs to be done
Cachorro: okay. We're having a heart-to-heart right now. Be back afterwards
Papi Chulo: is everything okay?
Cachorro: talk later
Papi Chulo: ok
"Sorry Codes. J might be a little miffed that you didn't tell him before but that's just how he is and how he reacts to things. Once he hears you out then I know without a doubt he won't be mad...maybe at your mom but certainly not at you. And hey, if you want me or Randy or both of us there when you tell him you know that we'd be there for you." Cody smiled weakly
"I know. You guys are great. Who knew that Ran could be such a sweetheart? I totally understand why John likes him so much now." Evan laughed. "I mean me and him started out on the wrong foot."
"He can see why J likes you so much now too. We've all grown on each other."
"Well except for you and John."
"Except for J and I, yes."
"You don't want to do it with him? He's really good at it." Evan laughed
"I have remember and yes he is really good at it but I don't see him in that way...but don't get me wrong, if the opportunity were to present itself again I won't say no."
"So only if we all have one of those crazy nights?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, that's good to know." Cody said eyeing the other man
"Codes!" Evan yelped. "You didn't think that I was going to go after him or something did you?!"
"No. It's not you I was concerned about. I see the way John looks at your butt sometimes."
"Have you seen my butt?"
"Yes." Cody said giving it a smack as Evan stood up. "But give me a break. He's got my butt and Ran's." Both men started laughing. "Well he's got my butt and then there's Ran."
"His little pancake is nice." Cody laughed as he nodded
"Yes it is once you find it."
"I quit." Evan said shaking his head. "Let's go back to the house."
"Okay." They walked to the parking lot where Evan's car was and jumped inside. Evan pulled out of the parking space and drove them home
...
"How long did you tell Evan to keep Cody out?"
"I didn't give a specific time but I sent him a message not too long ago saying that it was okay to come back." John nodded. "Why? Do you miss him already?"
"No. He told me earlier that he didn't know what he was going to wear and you know how long it can take him to pick out an outfit. There are only two hours left until the party and I wanted to make sure he was back in time to get ready." Randy laughed. "What?"
"There are only two hours left until the party." Randy repeated. "The fact that two hours may not be enough time is hilarious to me."
"This is Prince Cody we're talking about here. You, Evan and myself could take a nap and wake up with 45 minutes left before and still get ready with time to spare. Cody on the other hand needs about two days."
"I guess that's one of the things that make him special."
"I suppose. He wasn't always that fancy you know? He used to come over in sweats."
"Then you're to blame for his need to be a fashionista?"
"If you want to look at it that way...I guess giving him money and access to my credit card was a mistake on my part." Randy rolled his eyes
"Way to fucking go John." John laughed
"Hey guys!" Cody said walking into the kitchen
"Hey." Randy and John said. Evan waved as he went to the fridge
"Are you hungry?"
"No. We had ice cream and I'm thirsty."
"What?"
"When I have ice cream it makes me thirsty afterward. I don't know...don't ask me questions about it because I don't get it either."
"That was a mouthful."
"So I've been told." He said after taking a drink of water from the bottle
"John can you help me with my outfit?"
"Sure baby." Cody took John by the hand a led him from the kitchen. Randy looked at Evan
"Spill it."
"What? My water? I'm parched."
"No." Randy said laughing. "Your heart-to-heart with Codes."
"Oh. He's conflicted about whether or not to tell J about him and his mom...you know, all that stuff from when he was a kid until now. He thinks that J might like him less or something."
"That's crazy."
"I know and I told him to just tell him if he wanted. He said that he was lying by emission." Randy started laughing
"You did tell him the correct word right?"
"I did. He asked me the difference but I said that I didn't have time to explain it."
"Well if he needs me there I'll be there for him."
"As will I and I told him that we would. I don't think it's such a bad thing but," Evan shrugged. "You never know."
"You're right but I'm quite sure John will understand."
"I'm sure he will too." Evan smiled
"What?"
"Can I have a meatball?" Randy growled
"You know I portion my meals."
"I know but I really want a meatball." The older man stabbed one of the meatballs with a fork and handed it over
"You get one less meatball when the party starts." Evan nodded as he chewed
"Yes Papi...one less meatball. Do you need any help?"
"No but I'd never turn down the extra hands from you."
"I bet you wouldn't turn down my hands." Evan responded going over to the sink to wash said hands
"So witty this one."
"What do you want me to do?" Randy explained his idea to Evan and the men went to work
"Cody." John said exasperatedly falling back on the bed. "No one is coming over to look at your clothes. They want to eat Randy's food and gossip. You're at home...dress like you're at home."
"What does that even mean John?"
"Do you see what you're wearing? A polo shirt and jeans...that's fine. I would even say you wearing a t-shirt and jeans is perfectly fine. People are going to feel uptight if you come out dressed like you're going to a formal dinner party. Put all of that stuff away and find a t-shirt...and no it doesn't matter if there's a design on it or if it's plain."
"Okay." Cody said simply as he walked back to the closet
"My God...if he wasn't so cute I swear." John muttered to himself
"What are you wearing?!" Cody yelled from inside the closet making John sit straight up on the bed
"What do you mean? What's wrong with what I have on?" Cody stepped out with a hand on his hip. Oh man John thought
"You're not being serious are you?"
"If it's going to make you mad then no but if not then yes."
"I'm not going to get mad but I would rather you not wear your ratty old basketball shorts today...you're not even wearing the new ones Ran bought for you."
"These are already broken in though. I have to work on the pairs Randy bought me."
"I don't want you wearing either of them right now and you know Ran will say something if you do. Now, would you rather have me tell you or have Ran come up here? You know he's not going to be as nice as I am." John hopped off the bed
"You know, I think you're right."
"I am right John." Cody said pursing his lips for John to kiss
"What am I supposed to do with that?" John asked pointing to Cody's mouth
"John." Cody whined
"What?"
"You know that I want a kiss." John smiled and kissed him. "You just had to make that difficult didn't you?"
"Yes." He said walking into the closet
"Are you done with the food?" Cody asked as Randy walked into the room
"Yes. Where's John?"
"In the closet getting clothes."
"Oh good he's changing. I was going to have a talk with him about those shorts."
"Already did." Cody said going into the bathroom. Randy turned on his heel and went to the closet
"Do you need some help?" John immediately stepped away from the clothes in his section
"Have at it please. You know that I hate picking my own clothes."
"What do you feel like wearing?"
"These shorts."
"Well those shorts are not an option so what do you feel like wearing out of your big boy clothes?"
"Sometimes you talk to me like a child you know."
"Sometimes you act like a child. What do you feel like wearing? Is that what Codes' is wearing over there?" Randy asked looking at Cody's side of the closet then sorting through John's clothes
"What are you wearing?" Randy stopped then looked at John
"Are you going to pick my clothes?"
"Well no." He shook his head
"Go have a seat."
"You're sassing an awful lot today."
"I'm not sassing you John."
"You are but I'm going to let it slide like I normally do."
"Thank you. Is this okay?" John examined the shorts and shirt then gave a curt nod
"That'll do." He said taking the clothes and leaving. Randy just shook his head as he looked through his own clothes
Later
Randy was on his way downstairs to open the door for the first arrivals when he passed Evan's room then moonwalked back
"Keep moving Orton." Evan said grabbing a pillow and covering himself
"Why are you naked?"
"Because I'm not dressed...don't even come in here. I heard the doorbell."
"Just move the pillow real quick and let me take a peek." The small man laughed
"No. Get going you pervert."
"Takes one to know one." Randy said before leaving. Evan walked over and slammed his door shut. Downstairs Randy laughed before opening the front door for Cody's friends
"Hi there Randy!"
"Hi Mrs. G. How are you?"
"I'm good. You?"
"I'm well. Hi Bill."
"Hey Randy."
"Don't just stand there. Come in." Randy said stepping to the side. "Codes should be down in a minute."
"Codes?" Bill repeated. "I like that."
"I think we all call him that. It just comes out."
"Hi!" Cody said descending the stairs
"Hi Cody." Mrs. G and Bill said. Randy leaned back a little and raised an eye brow in appreciation of how the younger man looked. Cody saw and narrowed his eyes silently telling Randy to quit it
"You guys go ahead to the kitchen." Cody said as the doorbell rang again. "I have to get that."
"I'll get it. You go to the kitchen with them." Randy said. Cody headed to the kitchen with his guests as Randy opened the door only to see Phil standing there. "I should have gone to the kitchen." He said
"Is that how we're going to start this visit?"
"It's up to you how this day goes."
"No it's not."
"You're right. I'm going to be on my best behavior though so don't worry about me."
"Thank Heavens for small miracles." Phil said walking in the house
"I told Cody that I would be nice today but don't fuck with me. I'll take you out back and bury you before he even notices that you're missing." Phil held his hands up
"Okay...shit."
"Just go to the kitchen with everyone else before I dump you and your car in a lake." Phil breezed past the tall man and escaped to the kitchen with other people. Randy turned around and saw John standing there with Evan
"Dump him in a lake? I hope you didn't mean the lake outback."
"Nah, the detectives would drag that lake first. It would really be a poor way to cover my tracks." John looked down at Evan who just stood there with his mouth agape
"Don't look at me J."
"Is he for real though?"
"I really hope not."
"Why are the two of you talking like I'm not standing right here. I'm 6'5" so I know you see me."
"Oh we see you."
"He started it if you must know."
"Neither of us asked you a damn thing."
"It's always better that way." Randy said opening the door for more guests
...
"Do you guys need anything?" Randy asked looking around to see what might need refreshing
"I think we're okay Ran...oh, maybe we need more of the sauce for the meatballs." The tall man checked the dish that held his marinara sauce upon seeing that it was empty he picked it up and set it on the counter next to the mini Crock Pot that was keeping the rest of the sauce warm. Randy refilled the dish and placed it back on the table
"Where did you get this pasta? A gourmet shop?"
"I make my own pastas." Mrs. G stopped chewing
"You made all of these?"
"Uh-huh."
"They are amazing...and I know because I tried each of them. You're a God in the kitchen Randy." John, Evan and Cody watched as a blush crept into Randy's cheeks
"Thanks Mrs. G."
"If I didn't think it would end in divorce, I'd pay you to teach my wife how to cook like you do."
"All she needs is a pasta extruder. I got mine from Williams Sonoma." Bill shook his head
"She'll need more than a pasta extruder from Williams Sonoma."
"Oh my." Randy said. "If I ever meet your wife I won't tell her that you said that." Bill shook his head
"Oh no, I'm keeping my wife away from you." Randy laughed
"Why?"
"I generally try to keep her away from good-looking guys." Randy nodded as he laughed
"Fair enough. You don't want her to know whose lunch you're cheating on hers with either."
"You're absolutely right."
"Did you make the cannoli too?"
"My dear, everything that you see here the serving trays aside, I made with my own two hands. Ev helped,"
"I really only did what you told me to. You made all this stuff."
"Is it your own recipe?"
"The shell is basic but the filling is mine, yes." Mrs. G shook her head
"If I were ten years younger." Randy laughed
"Oh I'd marry you for sure." Evan, Cody and John tried their best to not laugh at Randy schmoozing and totally flattering Cody's colleague right now. "If you ever need anything in the way of pastries and desserts then I'm your man."
"Cody was telling us that you do some baking on the side."
"I've been known to make a cupcake or two."
"I remember the cakes and pies you made for school that time...and that bitch Steph knocking one on the floor."
"What happened to her?" Bill said turning to Phil as he continued to stuff his face with food
"She actually called me from the institution last week. She wants me to move out of her house which I think is the least of her worries but whatever."
"Where are you going to go?"
"I'll just get my own apartment. Once she gets out she can't live there anyway because it's too close to a school and living within 2500 feet of where children might gather is a violation of her release." Cody chuckled and everyone looked at him
"Sorry."
"We're all going to give you a pass on that since she made it her mission to make your life a living hell." Cody shrugged
"She did but I shouldn't have laughed like that. After all, she did have to go to jail for a year."
"Cody," Amy said then she looked at the others. "Is he really that nice? I mean seriously." Evan and Randy nodded
"Yes." John said. "He's always been that way."
"Okay. Because I know that Cody's really nice at work but to hear him talk about someone who had it out for him and still be nice about it...I guess I always wondered if he was a perpetual ray of light."
"He is." The three men said in unison
"Doesn't that get annoying?" The men laughed then Evan and John looked at Randy
"What?"
"You're probably better suited to answer this question."
"No. Codes' positive outlook and happiness does not annoy me. It makes me smile actually."
"What?" Evan asked. "Smile?"
"I meant on the inside."
"That sounds about right."
Later
Cody's colleagues had left but not before taking at least one piece of Tupperware filled with food. The four men were in the kitchen cleaning up when Cody's phone rang. He checked to see who was calling before a frown graced his usually smiling face. He wiped his hands on a towel and picked the phone up
"Hello? Hi mom. I've been busy. School's starting next week so I had meetings and things." That was true but Cody hadn't been that busy. "I know. I'm sorry. I, I," Each time he tried to say something his mom cut him off. "Mom...but I don't, no. Okay. Bye." Cody ended the call and left the kitchen without saying a word to anyone
"What just happened?" John asked. Randy and Evan shrugged
"I'll go talk to him." Evan said going after Cody. The small man jogged up the stairs and headed straight to the bedroom. He looked around and noticed the balcony doors slightly open. "It must be bad if you're out here in the heat."
"She wants me to come home."
"To live or for a visit?"
"Does it matter?"
"For this conversation I think it might."
"It's just for a visit but I don't want to go. She didn't even let me get a word in."
"We heard." Cody wiped his eyes
"I don't want to go Ev. She's going to be so mean to me."
"I wish I knew what to tell you or had a way to make this all better for you."
"You don't have any advice?" Evan smiled
"I do but this is up to you. I would stop talking to her to be honest. Your mom brings nothing good to your life. I know you're close with your dad and not talking to your mom could hurt him but he knows the history so he should understand."
"But she's my mom. I've never just stopped talking to anyone."
"It's time for you to make a really adult decision Cody."
"But I don't wanna." He whined
"Codes." Evan said sternly
"What's going on here?" John asked stepping out onto the balcony
"Just bust right up in here." Evan mumbled
"Nothing John." Cody said wiping his eyes again
"Well that's an obvious lie. Get in here." Cody followed John back inside and Evan followed him closing the door. He saw Randy standing there with a blank look on his face. "Something is up and I want to know what it is. I had Randy feeding me some bullshit downstairs and I don't want any more so what's the deal Cody?"
"My mom wants me to come home for a visit." John shook his head
"Uh-uh. I know that there's more to it than that. You don't answer your mom's calls and the one time you do you can't complete a sentence and then you practically run out of the room." Cody sighed and fell back on the bed
"Do you want us to leave Codes?"
"No...I think I need you and Evy to stay."
"Is it okay if we go sit on the couch so you know we're here but we're not crowding you?"
"Uh-huh. Thanks Ran."
"No problem." Randy and Evan walked over to the couch in the sitting area of the bedroom
"You know how I was telling you about my mom and all that?"
"Yes...about how she doesn't like me."
"She doesn't really like me either."
"What?" John said taking a seat on the bed
"I've always been flamboyant I guess you would say and my mom hated it. She was a good mom in the sense of providing and doing mom things but if I wasn't the boy she wanted me to be she would just go off."
"What do you mean she would just go off? Did she hit you?"
"She has but it wasn't a constant thing...just like slapping my hands or swatting me. My mom was more of a verbal abuser." On the couch Evan watched as Randy's face grew more and more red. He could have sworn he saw steam coming from the man's ears
"Your mom verbally abused you?" John asked incredulously. "How? Why?" Cody shrugged
"Because," He stopped and thought about what he was going to say. "She used to call me the F word all the time...whenever I was being "too gay" she would say."
"I – I'm speechless." John said. "And by F word I'm assuming you don't mean fairy."
"No I don't mean fairy but she has used that too. For a long time I," Cody paused again. "I didn't pretend to be straight but I did avoid relationships so my gayness I guess wasn't confirmed. That's part of the reason it took me a really long time to be affectionate in public...and then that stuff with Steph made me not want to show affection outside of the house. It's also why I get really cuddly around here...because I get to be myself. No matter how excited I get or what crazy things I say or how I act you guys accept it for what it is...what I am. I can't help my emotions. My mom hates that." John took a deep breath
"Did you guys know about this?" He asked looking toward the couch
"Yes." Randy and Evan answered
"Evy's been around for a long time and Ran asked me about me and my mom before when he saw me avoid her call. I ended up telling him a lot more about it because he caught me avoiding her like 50 more times after that."
"Aw baby," John said lying next to Cody. "I'm so sorry that happened to you. You're amazing and sweet and loving and everything that you are you deserve back." Everyone, including John was shocked at his response. Encouraging words and speeches was more Randy's thing. "What do you want to do?"
"Well I don't want to go see her or talk to her ever."
"Do you think you need closure?" Cody curled into John's arms even more
"I don't know. I guess so she'll know I mean business."
"I hate to say this and I never thought I would say it to anyone about their mom but you don't need her. You have me and you have Randy and you've always had Evan. We're still here and will always be here for you, you know that."
"I know. I have some stuff at the house though that I'd like to have. She would probably destroy it."
"Let's get it then."
"What?"
"I'm saying let's get your stuff from there so you don't have to go back and so she can't mess any of it up. If there's no place for it in here, which I doubt then we'll make a place for it out in the guest house. How does that sound?"
"Great...a lot of it is my comic collection."
"And we certainly don't want her getting her hands on that. When does she want you to come over?"
"Tomorrow."
"Is my Escalade big enough to fit everything you want to get from there?"
"Yea...I think so."
"I can drive my car in case you need more space." John and Cody looked over at Randy who was still on the couch
"You're going to come too Ran?"
"Oh yea, we're all in this together right?" Cody smiled
"Right. Evy?"
"I'll be there Codes."
"Thanks. I love you guys."
"We love you too."
"I'm going to tell my dad so he's not surprised when we show up like a gang."
"That's probably a good idea." John said with a laugh
"And I think I'm going to need lots of cuddles tonight."
"Okay."
"Did you hear me Ran?" Cody asked the man as he headed to the bathroom
"I heard you but I'm just about out of cuddles so no can do buddy."
"Ran!"
Next Day
Randy, Evan and John were in the kitchen eating breakfast since Cody had opted to stay upstairs in bed worrying himself sick about going over to his parents' house later. Randy was convinced that Cody should eat something but John told him no and to just leave him alone
"He's not going to have enough energy to fight with his mom properly if he doesn't eat."
"Cody is not going to fight with his mom. We're just going to go over there and while they're talking the three of us can grab his stuff and get the hell out of there." Randy chuckled then started to laugh. Evan and John looked him like he was crazy. "What's so funny?"
"Do you honestly think that loony woman isn't going to try and pick a fight when he gets there? If she fought with him as an innocent child he's certainly fair game now as a grown man. I told you she was a bitch when I met her. I know how to read people."
"Well sit down and spill the tea girl." Evan laughed while Randy eyed John
"You're lucky I like you today."
"I'm very lucky. Are you going to sit down and eat?"
"Yea but I want to make this smoothie for Codes so he can at least have some nutrients."
"He'll," Randy started the blender
"What was that?" He asked stopping it
"I said," He started it again
"Sorry. Go on."
"I said that he'll," The blender started again and Evan started laughing while John just sat there. Randy finished making the smoothie and poured it into a tumbler then stuck a straw inside
"You were saying?"
"Get the hell out of here."
"I'm taking this upstairs. I'll be back for my breakfast...don't touch my French toast." Randy said leaving the kitchen. He went upstairs and saw Cody still lying in bed with a pillow over his face. "What are you doing?"
"It's too bright in here." Randy looked over at the drapes that were still drawn shut. Shaking his head he gently rubbed the man's leg
"Sit up and drink this."
"I don't want it."
"But I made it special for you." Cody tossed the pillow aside and took the drink
"What kind is it?" He asked as he put his lips on the straw
"Banana, peanut butter, chia seeds, strawberries and vanilla almond milk."
"It's good."
"I'm glad to hear it. What time do you want to go over to your parents'?"
"A little after never." Cody said placing his drink on the table and pulling Randy down onto the bed with him
"I don't think that's an option. What are you doing?"
"Nothing." Cody said kissing along Randy's jaw
"Right now?"
"Uh-huh."
...
"I would ask what took so long but I can smell you." John said when Randy walked back into the kitchen
"You guys didn't eat my French toast did you?"
"No one touched your damn French toast."
"I'm going to buy some boxes for Cody's stuff." Evan said standing. "A few medium and a few small should be enough right?"
"I think so." John said. "He said a lot of it is comics."
"Okay."
"Don't forget tape too."
"Ah, yes. Thanks for reminding me because I definitely would have forgotten it."
Later: Rhodes' Residence
"Do you think he's going to be okay?" Evan asked Randy as they sat in his car and waited for Cody to get out of John's car
"I sure hope so. I don't want to be in there long enough for things to go awry."
"All his comics are in his room so if we go straight there then we can pack up and get the hell out."
"Let's go." Randy said when he saw Cody open the door to John's SUV and step out
"Thanks again for coming you guys." Cody said as they walked up to the front door
"You're welcome but we wish that it were under better circumstances."
"Yea, me too." Cody said as he rang the doorbell
"Hey there son." Cody's dad said as he opened the door
"Hi dad."
"It's really good to see you." Cody nodded
"When I said that I wanted you to come over I meant just you Cody."
"I know but I'm not here for a visit. I came to get the stuff out of my room that I want and leave."
"Your father and I bought that stuff so technically it's ours."
"You didn't buy all of that stuff mom and I'd like to see you go in there and find the things you did buy."
"This is stealing."
"No it's not but call the cops if you want. They may make me leave now but I can and will take you to court. No judge is going to side with you since you did buy it for me making it mine." Evan and Randy followed Cody's dad to his childhood bedroom where the three of them started to pack up the items Cody wanted. In the living room his mom was still going on about the belongings
"I don't even know who you are anymore Cody Garrett. You don't call me and when I call you my calls are ignored." She turned to John. "And I blame all of this on you. Cody was a nice boy until he met you."
"First off Cody's not a boy, he's a man. Secondly, he is still very nice so don't think that I've turned him into a monster or something. Third," John stressed. "I don't have anything to do with Cody's feelings toward you. In fact I didn't know that he wasn't talking to you until a little while ago so don't go blaming any of this on me."
"Right...don't blame him mom. You know why I don't talk to you."
"No I don't. We used to be so close."
"I only pretended to be so close to you because you scare me!" Cody shouted. In his bedroom the three men stopped packing and looked up
"Do you think that you should go out there?" Randy asked Dusty
"No. This is something that Cody needs to work out with his mother. It's been a long time coming and if he has to yell then I say let him yell."
"Alright then." Randy said handing a stack of comics to Evan
"How dare you come in my house and yell at me?!"
"Oh! I've been waiting a long time to yell at you lady!" Cody said stomping his foot. "But I'm much too nice of a person to do that. You put me through hell when I was a kid. You made me ashamed of who I was. So much so that when my best friend came to me and told me that he was gay I called him gross and turned my back on him all while knowing that I was just the same. You hit me sometimes, you called me names and you made me feel ugly. I used to be teased at school but that was nothing compared to coming home and having it ten times worse from the person who was supposed to protect you from the world. You know, I'm really glad I look like my father because if I saw your face looking back at me in the mirror I'd hate myself as much as you tried to make me hate myself. John can you go check on Randy and Ev?"
"Are you sure?" Cody nodded. John gave him a kiss on the cheek and proceeded upstairs in search of the young man's old room. Randy stopped packing and looked around
"John?" He called
"There you are." John said stepping in the room
"What's going on?"
"Cody is taking care of something that needed to be taken care of. He's handling himself well...told me to check on you guys."
"There's plenty of stuff to pack up."
"Yea, holy shit." John said taping the bottom of a box. "Do you think you can do something with that random room/space off the game room for all of this?"
"Mmhm...I can put up some shelves and display cases."
"Perfect." Back in the living room Cody crossed his arms over his chest
"I know that Randy and Ev are fine but I wanted to say this to you without John around and I want you to know that I'm very serious when I say it. After all the things in my room are packed I'm never coming back here again. I won't call you and I don't want you to call me. You manipulated me when I was a kid and you did it up until I was an adult. I'm 23 years old and you still scare me. I stayed in bed all morning because I was so worried about coming here and seeing you. That's a nasty feeling to have and I don't like it and after today I won't feel it again. My relationship with my dad is great and as long as you keep your nose out of our business it will stay that way. If you choose to one day have a better attitude about me then we'll talk but until then, I don't know you. You're negative and I teach high school students so I have enough of that in my life. When you're ready, I'm ready but until then just leave me alone." Cody turned away from his mother and jogged up the stairs
"You alright Codes?"
"I'm fine." He said picking up a packed box. "Is the car open John?"
"No but here." John said tossing his keys on top of the box. Cody left the room and went to the car. It took about another 20 minutes for the guys to finish packing everything up. They carried it all outside and found Cody sitting in the passenger seat of John's car. Dusty walked over and tapped on the window so Cody opened the door and stepped out
"We're still friends right?" Cody smiled
"Of course we are. I told her to mind her business and don't try changing anything between us."
"You know that I'd be here for you regardless. I'm sorry I didn't,"
"Dad stop...you were gone so much when I was a kid so I don't blame you. Your wife should have been a good mother whether or not you were here every day or not. I didn't ask to be born."
"Well you're right about that son."
"Don't worry about me. I'm going to be fine."
"I know you are and I never have. You've got a strong group over there watching out for you and I really like that John." Cody laughed
"Me too. He has a way about him."
"Take care Cody."
"Dad," He groaned. "You're making this sound like a goodbye. I'll see you Wednesday for our lunch." Dusty laughed
"I was in the moment." Cody rolled his eyes then hugged his father
"I'll see you later. You better get inside before she tries to lock you out." Dusty just laughed as he turned around
"Are you okay baby?" John asked when Cody got in the car
"As okay as you can be after telling your mom to leave you alone I guess." John took a deep breath as he held his hand out for the other man
"What do you want to do?"
"Get drunk and eat pizza." John laughed
"It's not even four yet."
"It's five o' clock somewhere." In Randy's car his phone started to ring
"Hello?" He said activating his hands free telephone
"Cody wants to eat pizza and get drunk."
"Our boy is becoming a man John."
"It's a beautiful thing really."
"So what do you want to do?"
"We have to get the man pizza and alcohol I say."
"Pizza and alcohol you say? We can do that, no problem."
"Are we stocked at the house?"
"We can be. Ev and I will stop at the store. See you at the house."
"Okay."
"Bye."
"Bye." John said ending the call. "Randy and Evan are going to stop at the store."
"For what? We can order pizzas."
"For liquor. You want to get drunk? We're going to get you nice and drunk." Cody swallowed hard completely unsure of what he'd just gotten himself into
That Night
"Hey guys?" Cody said
"Yes?"
"Is there anymore pizza left?"
"You have a slice on your stomach." Cody raised his head and saw the piece of pizza laying there
"Oh." He said laughing and dusting some of the flour off his abs. "I'm sure those won't be there in the morning."
"One night of drinking and pizza eating isn't going to ruin those tight abs of yours." Cody just lay there smacking as he chewed
"I'm going to get some shelves and display cases for your stuff tomorrow." Cody lazily held his hand up for a high-five. "And then I'm going to run away with John and Puppy."
"I'm not that drunk Ran. John's not going anywhere."
"So I can run away with Puppy?"
"No. Neither of you are going anywhere...everyone stays. We're like family okay?"
"Okay." The other three answered
"We are family," Cody started singing. "I got all my sisters with me."
"Oh man." John groaned
"Everyone can see we're together as we walk on by." Cody continued. "And – how come no one's backing me up?!"
"And we fly just like birds of a feather," Everyone sang. "I won't tell no lie."
"Nice." Cody said moving his arms like an orchestra conductor. "Keep it up guys!"
TBC
